Scottish Episcopal Churches of Wigtownshire

St. John the Evangelist, Stranraer

Church News
Series 3 Issue 120 - March 2018
 What’s On
St. John’s, Stranraer.

Sunday Service
11-00am….Holy Communion 1982 Scottish Liturgy.
During our interregnum Canon Nigel will be presiding on the
second Sunday in the month.
Thursday Service
11-00am….Holy Communion.
Dates for your Diary
March
1st………St. David’s Day
2nd……...World Day of Prayer Service, Trinity Church, Stranraer at 7-00pm.
3rd…….. Diocesan Synod, Kilmarnock. 9-30am. Derek Highley to attend.
11th…….. Mothering Sunday Service with Canon Nigel.
17th……...St. Patrick’s Day

HOLY WEEK and EASTER SERVICES

March.
25th..PALM SUNDAY - Holy Communion( Reserved Sacrament)1982 at 11-00am.
29th..MAUNDY THURSDAY - Holy Communion at 11-00am with Canon Nigel.
30th..GOOD FRIDAY - THE FINAL HOUR at 11-30am.
April.
1st.. EASTER SUNDAY - Holy Communion at 11-00am. Service conducted by
Revd. Canon Nigel - New Light into Church - Renewal of Baptismal Vows.

Thanks from Anne

To all my friends at St John's, I send my grateful thanks for your love, prayers and sup-
port during this difficult year. Thankfully I have received the good news that all is well
and I will be seen annually in future.
Your help has been a wonderful support. It was so comforting to know that so many
people were there behind me, and of course thanks be to God. Anne.

Prayer for Easter

God, may this church be more than a building;
More than just a group of individuals;
More than just prayers and songs on a Sunday.
Instead , may it be a source of hope and transformation,
Through which you turn this community upside down with love. Hazel.

2
 Auld Alliance Trophy.

In 1913 and 1914 Scotland and French Rugby teams played against each other.
It was to be some years later before these matches resumed.
My great-uncle Eric Milroy captained the Scottish side and his opposite
number was Marcel Burgun. Both men sadly were killed in action.
To acknowledge and remember these two fine sportsmen and so many other
international rugby players ( 31 Scots and 22 French) who were also killed in
that dreadful war, the Scottish and French Rugby Unions agreed that a new
trophy should be commissioned. It will be played for annually between France
and Scotland as part of the 6 nations Championship.
The trophy was duly presented prior to the game at Murrayfield on Sunday
11th February.
Carrying the trophy on to the pitch was my grandson Lachlan Ross along with
Romain Cabanis – a relative of the French captain.
Of local interest – Eric Milroy`s father was born and brought up at the farm of
East Galdenoch, Stoneykirk. His father, Alexander Milroy, started a banking
career in Stranraer before being promoted to the bank in Edinburgh.
To round off a memorable occasion the trophy has this year remained in
Scotland! Jean Ross (Proud Granny !)

3
 New Vestments - On Sunday 11th. February, Canon Nigel dedicated the new Purple
Vestments for the use and benefit of the congregation and future Priests presiding at
St. John's"

Do You Want To Fast This Lent?

In the words of Pope Francis
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

4
Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2018
I have decided that this year’s Appeal will be for MND Scotland in memory
of our late Diocesan Secretary, Chris Zochowski who died from Motor
Neurone Disease earlier this year.
The Appeal will be launched at this year’s Synod at Kilmarnock on 3 rd March.
In 1981, MND Scotland was founded by John Macleod, a 32 year old
Strathclyde police officer, who had Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Together with his wife, Peigi, their family and friends, they started the charity
to help those with MND in Scotland.
At the time John was diagnosed, services were limited and health profession-
als had little or no knowledge of the condition. John’s aim was to help
change this and the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association was born.
You can visit the MND Scotland website for further information:
http://www.mndscotland.org.uk
+Gregor

Mission Action Plan (M.A.P.)

On Monday 26th February a meeting to progress our Mission
Action Plan (MAP) took place. 15 members attended for discussion
with our Facilitator, Linda Rayner.
General discussion and feedback ensued. We eventually decided
to concentrate on one Strand i.e.
Numerical Growth, Welcome and Integration.
Some of our goals have already been achieved even though our MAP has been
stalled for some time..
Our future Goals are;
to improve access - Chris Cain will be in charge of this.
to improve signage - Donald Peers will be in charge of this..
to improve the outside appearance of the building. David McMillan will head this.
to improve publicity. We are looking for someone to head this.
Please contact any member of the vestry to offer your services. The person heading
each goal will head a group to progress the goals.
We shall work on these goals over the next year. The Lay Rep is permitted to sign
the MAP off once accomplished. Linda will send a copy of the new MAP for our
approval.
Thanks to everyone who attended and to the soup makers and sandwich providers
who fed us at lunchtime. Anne McWilliam.

5
 Photographic Memories from previous issues of our ‘Church News’

March 2009 Issue - Fellowship - “Verse and Victuals night,”

March 2010 Issue - Revd. Beth on the occasion of her retiral

www.stjohnsstranraer.co.uk and www.wechurches.org.uk

Have you visited our web sites yet? Latest news of What’s on, links to the Scottish Episcopal
Church Diocesan site and includes the other charges in Wigtownshire.
Various publications including past issues of the ‘Church News’, and lots
more. Now Inspires online at www.pisky.scot

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to contribute a piece for the
Church News or any comments regarding contents of previous issues.
Contact details can be found on the back page. Ian Taylor. Editor.
The views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor.

6
 Readers March 2018
Date Old & New Testament Gospel Prayers Welcomer Projectionist
March 4th Hannah Jill Hazel Ian Clarke Chris
Lent 3 Exodus 20 v 1 - 17 John 2
R.S. 1 Corinthians 1 v 18 - 25 v 13 - 22

March 11th Kay Nigel Janet Hazel Donald

Lent 4 Exodus 2 v 1-10 John 19
Mothering Sunday Colossians 3 v 12 - 17 v 25 - 27
Palms will be blessed for future use.
March 18th Linda Margaret Pratt Anne Derek Chris
Lent 5 Jeremiah 31 v 31 - 34 John 12
R.S. Hebrews 5 v 5 - 10 v 20 - 33

March 25th Jill Derek Annabel Ian Taylor David

Palm Sunday Mark 11 v 1 - 11 Philippians 2
R.S. Isaiah 50 v 4 - 9 v 5 - 11

March 29th
Maundy Thursday With Canon Nigel at 11-00am

March 30th
Good Friday Special service will be taken by Janet Peers 11-30am

April 1st Derek Nigel Margaret Pratt Ian Clarke Donald

Easter Day Acts 10 v 34 - 43 Mark 16
1 Corinthians 15 v 1 - 11 v1 - 8
Thank you for your Ministry. Please change with someone else if you are unable to fulfil your slot. Welcomers are

7
reminded that their presence is most important and if they can not attend, they must find someone to take their place.
 Who’s Who
at
St John’s, Stranraer

Rector Vacant
Worship Leader Mr Ian Arbon 01465 841194
Pastoral Team Mrs Anne McWilliam 01776 258518
Pastoral Team Mrs Janet Peers 01581 400284
Secretary Mr Donald Peers 01581 400284
Treasurer Mr Chris Cain 01776 810487
Property Officer Mr David McMillan 01776 707134
Deputy Property Officer Mr Ian Clarke 01776 870441
Child Protection &
Vulnerable Adults Mrs Linda Highley 01776 810733
Lay Representative Mrs Anne McWilliam 01776 258518
Alt. Lay Representative Mr Derek Highley 01776 810733
Flowers Organiser Mrs Hazel Cain 01776 810487
Pastoral Minister Mrs Anne McWilliam 01776 258518
Organist
Rector’s Warden Vacant
People’s Warden Mrs Hazel Cain 01776 810487
Hymn Selection Mrs Jean Ross.

St. John’s, North Strand Street, Stranraer DG9 7LD

E-mail: stjohnsstranraer@hotmail.co.uk
Editor:-Ian Taylor Tel.01581500265 Email. craignarget@btinternet.com
Websites:- www.stjohnsstranraer.co.uk & www.wechurches.org.uk
Charity No. SCO23329
Printed by Peter Caldwell Printers, 28-32 Fisher Street, Stranraer.
8